Jan Sofrides Viet

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jan Viet, age 59, after a brief but hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, Opa, and friend. Jan and his wife, Billie Jo (BJ), resided in Bossier City, Louisiana, where he passed peacefully on Sunday, September 8th, 2024 with his family by his side. Cremation arrangements have been made through Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Jan is survived by his wife of 36 years, Billie Jo Ferguson Viet; daughter and son-in-law, Holland and Cory Bugay, their two children, Lillie and Arthur; daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Michael Thompson, their daughter, Sunny; daughters, Julia Viet and Victoria Viet; brothers, Nico Viet and Arjo Viet; sister and partner, Sophia Viet and Mieke Weegels; sister and brother-in-law, Anita Van Der Goot-Viet and Henk Van Der Goot; mother-in-law, Lillie Coleman, and many other extended family members. Jan is preceded in death by his parents, Jan and Annie Viet, and father-in-law, Bill Ferguson.

Jan was born in Dedemsvaart, a village in the east of the Netherlands, as the middle of five children of Jan Viet and Annie Van Den Brink. At the age of six, he moved with his family to Venray, a town in the south of the Netherlands, where his father became the head teacher at his children's primary school. While his older brother and sister were in their father's class, Jan never had any lessons from him. His father died before Jan moved on to the sixth grade; his father's class. 

Jan was what the Dutch call a ‘Belhamel’. His childhood friends have fond memories of the good-natured pranks he sometimes played. He was also an outdoor athlete and handyman. He taught himself windsurfing and fishing and built a trailer for his surfboard and a box for his fishing tackle. Many qualities that he carried through the remainder of his life. 

After primary school, Jan went to Jerusalem High School in Venray. In high school, he discovered his love for music and natural ability to play the guitar and piano. In true Jan fashion, he bargained for his first guitar, and you often could find him practicing his skill until his fingers hurt. His talent was enjoyed by many. 

During his high school years, he worked as a stocker in a supermarket. One evening, while stocking shelves, he made a wrong move. One or more vertebrae in his back shifted and Jan was referred to a physical therapist. Thus, he was introduced to the paramedical discipline of physical therapy. This acquaintance inspired him to choose to study physical therapy in Utrecht, a city in the middle of the Netherlands. 

During his studies in Utrecht, the Dutch government decided that physical therapy would no longer be reimbursed by basic health insurance. When Jan graduated, the job market prospects in the Netherlands were not good. However, in the United States of America and Germany, Dutch physical therapists were keen to come. Jan chose the United States because he could practice his profession there as he wished. Through an agent, Jan was matched with a hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

Upon arriving in Shreveport, Jan was quickly swooped off his feet by Billie Jo and their story began. Jan became a father figure to Billie Jo’s two girls, Holland and Crystal, who he welcomed into his life with loving arms. The four of them moved to Maui, Hawaii where Jan and BJ eloped before moving back to Texas and settling down in Lufkin where they welcomed their daughters Julia and Victoria. Lufkin would be what Jan called ‘home’ for the next 30 years. From there Jan and BJ found themselves in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a short stent before returning to Bossier City, Louisiana in 2022 to be closer to BJ’s family.

During his time in Lufkin, Jan established himself within the medical community. His achievements include co-operating Regionals Physical Therapy, opening his own clinic, Masters Physical Therapy, and becoming the Director of Allied Health at A Pineywoods Home-health. Jan leaves behind many friends, patients, and colleagues that he gained throughout his 37-year career as a physical therapist.

Beyond his career, Jan had quite a list of hobbies from collecting and fixing antiques, running marathons, playing tennis, gardening, carpentry, and beekeeping. However, his most notable is his love for cooking. This passion carried him to compete in various charitable gumbo and BBQ cook-offs where he often walked away adorned with a medal. He enjoyed these events as they brought together his family and friends to create everlasting memories, but also proved he had perfected his recipes and methods.

Jan was also well known in the neighborhood for his eclectic garage – full of tools, Heineken, and his latest projects. Many of these projects included building props for various community events. Jan and BJ enjoyed giving back to their community through volunteering their time at the American Cancer Society, Museum of East Texas, and Naranjo Museum of Natural History. There were never many moments where Jan wasn’t giving back to others.

Jan loved his family endlessly and supported them through various endeavors in life. His greatest joy was watching his girls chase their dreams and becoming an Opa to Lillie, Arthur, and Sunny. They hope to keep his legacy alive through selfless acts, hard work, rooting for the Dutch futbol team, and listening to U2 on their long car rides. His quick wit, frugal nature, and infectious spirit will forever be remembered.

Plans for a Celebration of Life to be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to a charity of your choice in honor of Jan.